Senior issues newsletter [Vol. 34, No. 14 (July 31, 2013)]

CO-AGE Meeting Held in Macon

Senior Issues Newsletter

The annual CO-AGE Priority Issues meeting was held July 25th in Macon and was watched live via webcast at several regional viewing sites. The meeting included presentations on proposed priority issues for the 2014 General Assembly Session as well as the first Public Forum to provide input for the Alzheimer's State Plan and Intrastate Funding Formula. If you would like to view the meeting, you will find it posted on the GCoA homepage at www.gcoa.org.
Ballots for priority selection were either mailed or e-mailed on Tuesday, July 30th, to COAGE members who could not come to Macon. If you are a current member and have not received your ballot, please contact the Council office at 404-657-5343 to receive yours. Voting ends at 4:00 pm on Friday, August 9th.

On or about August 15th, the results of the membership vote will be announced by email, written notice, and the GCOA website. The results will include:

2 Budget priorities: (Perennial Issue) Funding for Home and Community Based Service 1 new funding issue voted on by CO-AGE participants

3 Legislative priorities: (Carryover Issue) Department of Aging (Carryover Issue) Family Care Act (HB 290) 1 new legislative issue voted on by CO-AGE participants

If you are not a CO-AGE member, don't wait another minute! We need you and you need to be part of this large advocacy partnership. Membership is free, but voluntary contributions are encouraged to support the vital work of CO-AGE for older adults in Georgia throughout the year. Call the Georgia Council on Aging office at 404/657-5343 for further information.

Annual Awards Presented at CO-AGE Meeting

Representative Wendell Willard (51st Sandy Springs)

received the Outstanding Legislator Award in Macon in

recognition of his dedication to justice for Georgia's most

vulnerable citizens. A dedicated legislator and chair of the

Judiciary Committee, he achieved nearly unanimous

support for House Bill 78, Protection of Disabled Adults

and Elder Persons. Beginning early last fall, he met with

law enforcement and aging advocates to learn more about

abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults and persons

with disabilities and legal remedies needed to better protect

them. He spent countless hours drafting and revising

Award winners Rep. Wendell Willard,

legislation and reached consensus among all the parties

Ann Williams, and Vernon Keenan

involved for the strongest possible legislation. House Bill

78 ensures the strongest criminal penalties for those who

prey on our most vulnerable adults, expands mandatory reporters, and moves the statues into that

part of the Criminal Code which is used by law enforcement on a daily basis.

Vernon Keenan, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, was honored for Special Contributions in recognition of his leadership in the protection of seniors and other at-risk adults. In 2013, he convened the GBI At-Risk Adult Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation workgroup and began collaboration with aging services and the judicial system which resulted in the concept of criminal code enhancement. He led a coalition which met with Chairman Willard, and the result was House Bill 78. His leadership has also resulted in development of a GA Association of Police Chiefs White Paper to guide local training and enforcement, development of law enforcement training videos, and heightened enforcement of the new criminal code. He continues to be a vocal and active champion for at-risk adults.

The Vita R. Ostrander Award honoring an older volunteer who has shown exceptional leadership in advocating for older adults was given to Ann G. Williams, who is stepping down as Chair of the GA Council on Aging Legislative Committee after nine years. In that capacity, she has led the efforts of volunteers and staff present daily at the Capitol during the General Assembly Session, testifying before committee hearings, meeting with legislators to advocate for funding and legislation, and becoming a well-known and constant presence and voice. Ann has a particular concern for the frailest elders and has worked to strengthen the quality of services for this population both in residential settings and in the community. Ann also serves on the Atlanta Regional Commission aging advisory group and has chaired the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman advisory committee for many years, in each setting maintaining her commitment to advocacy.

The Senior Issues Newsletter is a publication of the Georgia Council on Aging, and its partners in the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly. Volume 34, No. 14 July 31, 2013

Georgia Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force Needs Your Input
The Georgia Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force held its first full meeting with its Advisory Group following the July 25th CO-AGE meeting, which included a Public Forum on the State Plan and Georgia's Intrastate Funding Formula. Future meetings will be held on August 29th, September 26th, October 24th, November 21st, and December 19th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the metro Atlanta area.
Advisors are serving on committees addressing Public Policy, Workforce Development, Service Delivery, Public Safety, Outreach and Partnerships, and Healthcare, Research, and Data Collection. The Task Force members are chairing each of the committees.
There are several ways for you to participate, and you will not want to miss this opportunity to provide thoughts. First, you can attend one of the Public Forums sponsored by the Division of Aging Services and Coffee and Conversations: Mini Town Halls sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association. Second, you can share on-line using this public comment link: https://aging.dhs.georgia.gov/comment-alzheimers-plan which also gives Task Force updates, information on hearings, and links to National and other State Plans.
NPR and GPTV Focus on Elder Abuse
"Life and Death in Assisted Living: They're Not Treating Mom Well" was aired by NPR's Frontline on July 30th. On their website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/life-and-death-in-assisted-living/ you can view the program as well as read a number of articles giving background information on the program and the assisted living industry.
NPR's Denis O'Hayer recently interviewed Representative Wendell Willard and Senator Renee Unterman about the passage of HB 78 and its impact on elder abuse detection, investigation, and legal enforcement. He followed up with interviews with GBI Director Vernon Keenan and GCoA Executive Director, Kathryn Fowler about the resources needed to implement the new law and provide the necessary services for at-risk adults who are being abused, neglected, or exploited. Listen to the three interviews: http://wabe.org/people/denis-ohayer.
"Elder Abuse: Hiding in Plain Sight" aired in late May as a collaboration between GPTV and the Georgia Division of Aging Services. It provided an overview of the increasing problem of abuse, neglect and exploitation facing older adults and adults with disabilities. The program also highlighted current efforts to protect Georgia's most vulnerable adult populations. Find it here: http://www.gpb.org/elder-abuse.
CDC Releases 2013 State of Aging and Health in America
The State of Aging and Health in America 2013 presents the most current information and statistics, often specifically commissioned for the report, on the health of older adults. The State of Aging and Health in America 2013 focuses on the health of adults aged 65 years or older in the United States and was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Download the report
The AoA Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program offers links, a white paper, and several archived webinars on dementiarelated topics. Click here to visit the page.
Topics include: National Alzheimer's Plan Webinar Translating Innovation to Impact: Evidence-Based Interventions ... Updates on Alzheimer's Disease Research and Resources People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Dementia Diverse Populations, Health Disparities, and Dementia Series on Legal Issues and Alzheimer's Disease (4 webinars)
To register for upcoming webinars on younger-onset dementia (8/20/13) and advanced-stage dementia (9/24/13), visit this link.
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Connections with Community and Family --Not Money--
Most Important for Seniors' Quality of Life
Relationships with friends and family outweigh financial concerns among older Americans seeking fulfillment in their senior years, according to the second annual United States of Aging Survey. When asked what is most important to maintaining a high quality of life in their senior years, staying connected to friends and family was the top choice of 4 in 10 seniors, ahead of having financial means (3 in 10 seniors).
For the 2013 edition of The United States of Aging Survey, the National Council on Aging (NCOA), UnitedHealthcare, and USA TODAY surveyed 4,000 U.S. adults including a nationally representative sample of seniors ages 60 and older. This year, for the first time, the survey also included a nationally representative sample of adults ages 18-59 to provide contrasting perspectives on aging and explore how the country could better prepare for a booming senior population.
The results of the 2013 survey were released July 30th at the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) Annual Conference as part of a broader effort led by n4a, NCOA, UnitedHealthcare, and USA TODAY to educate seniors and stakeholders in communities across the country and support further awareness and understanding of senior perspectives on aging. Get the press release and detailed national survey findings at: http://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/community-education/united-states-of-aging/usa-survey-2013.html .
Mark Your Calendar for These Events
CO-AGE Fall Meeting: presentations on priorities and advocacy strategies Thursday, October 3, 2013 The Armstrong Center Armstrong Atlantic State University Savannah, GA For information, contact Eric Ryan at 404-657-5344 or joryan@dhr.state.ga.us. For information on hosting a group to watch the webcast. Contact Mary McCarthy at 404-657-5348 or mamccarthy@dhr.state.ga.us.
Georgia Gerontology Society Annual Conference: "Senior PGAA Tour: Professionals, Gerontologists & Aging Advocates" August 12-14, 2013 Augusta Marriott Riverfront Go to this site for more information: http://www.georgiagerontologysociety.org/conference.htm
Department of Community Health Board: Next Meeting, August 9, 2013 Meets every 2nd Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. on the 5th Floor at 2 Peachtree. Committees meet at 9:00 a.m. prior to the Board meeting.
Department of Human Services Board Meeting: Next Meeting, September 18, 2013 Meets bi-monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. on the 29th Floor at 2 Peachtree.
Georgia Council on Aging is excited to showcase an improved website at www.gcoa.org. The redesigned site is not only more attractive but easier to navigate. Please let us know if you have any
problems in finding what you are looking for or have any suggestions.
View the July 25, 2013, CO-AGE meeting, held in Macon on the GCoA website Home Page. The April 25th meeting webcast continues to be posted on the CO-AGE page.
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